It has taken nine weeks, 200 entries and more than 1,000 votes to find our top wannabe models – and this week they went head to head in a bid to be crowned the Sunderland Echo's Face of 2009.

For one last time our potential catwalk kings and queens went in front of the judges hoping to wow them with their perfect poses.

>> SLIDESHOW: Face of 2009 final

The expert panel included Leah Wilson from AM Model Agency, photographer Lee Scullion from David Lawson Studio, Susan and Harry Hall from Reds, Lorraine Griffiths from Wylam Leisure, manager of Van Mildert Chris Hayes and Echo editor Rob Lawson.

The 11 finalists met their fellow contestants for the first time on Tuesday night and all admitted that the competition was tough. But it was time to put their nerves to one side and concentrate on looking professional on the catwalk.

Owner of AM Model Agency, Leah Wilson, boosted the contestants' confidence by showing them the ropes at our model boot camp. As a former model herself, she knew exactly what she was looking for in our potential stars.

"I was looking for personality and confidence. They were all really nervous but I needed to see who could over come that," she said.

"If they are going to be working as a model I need to be able to trust them to do it well and right. It was important to see them enjoying it if they really want to get into modelling.

"The standard of entries was really high this year but I had my top three favourites along with the other judges. It was very tight for first and second place."

After an intense hour of walking, twirling, posing and pouting, our gorgeous girls and boys took to the Reds catwalk cheered on by friends and family.

They had to pull out all the stops to be in with a chance of scooping the fabulous prizes on offer.

These prizes included a 12-month modelling contract with AM Model Agency, a professional photo shoot with David Lawson Studio, which will appear in the Echo and £200 to spend in store at Van Mildert.

Runner-up Victoria Raine, 18, was supported by her aunt Alyson Kordbarlag.

Alyson said: "It's been really exciting, and Victoria had a really good time.

"She was in Leeds when she got the call saying she had made it to the final. She's been a bit nervous about it but she would love to be a catalogue model."

Finalist Whitney Hathway's mum Adele said: "It's totally amazing that she made it into the final, she didn't even enter herself. She was stopped by a reporter in the street who asked her to enter so we were gobsmacked.

"She's very quiet, and I'm really proud of her.

"She's been really looking forward to it, I could tell she was excited.
It's a big thing for her to be here."

We saw the biggest turnout of supporters yet at the city centre salon and Echo editor Rob Lawson was very impressed with the standard of entries.

He said: "The quality of entrants this year has been much higher than previous years. Everyone has done really well to get this far. It takes a lot of bottle to do what they have done."

He added: "I would like to thank everyone for coming along and wish everyone the best of luck in the future."

After two turns of the catwalk the stunning stars took it in turns to be grilled by the judges. They were all hoping to win them over and convince them that they were worthy winners of the Face of 2009 crown.

Judge Susan Hall from Reds said: "The standard was great, but again, we want to see more men. Face of 2009 is not a beauty competition – we are looking for the full package, someone special who not only has the looks, but also a good personality and who is confident and of course they have to be tall, too.

"It has been a very close final this year, and if we could have had two winners, we would, of but unfortunately we can't."

After experiencing a few hours in the shoes of a model, the 11 contenders were left in suspense as the judges told them they would have to wait until the winner was announced in the paper today to find out if they had got their hands on this year's title.

Keighley Hazard, 22, from Thorney Close, who works as an account manager, said: "I was really surprised when I found out I was in the final. I honestly thought it was a joke at first.

"I've never done any modelling before and I've really enjoyed the experience it's fun."

Demi Young, who is a trainee beautician and nail technician, made it through to the final last year.

The 17-year-old from Roker said: "I think the standard is the same – it's always high.

"I wasn't upset when I didn't win last year. It's all about the experience and learning from it which I did.

"It taught me to be more confident, as I used to be as quiet as a mouse.

"This year I feel that my extra confidence has shown through and I've found it easier to do the walks that Leah showed us.

"If you don't win it just makes you more determined."

The judges had a difficult decision to make but they were finally unanimous in choosing our first male winner and the Face of 2009, 16-year-old Aidan Brook, from Tunstall.

The judges were impressed with his confidence and they thought his look was very distinctive.

They were all very excited to award the title to a male model for the first time since the competition began three years ago.

Read more in today's Echo